Permanent makeup eyebrow stencil system

ABSTRACT

A stencil system for marking up an eyebrow area for a cosmetic procedure comprises a stencil composed of a thin, flexible, clear plastic-like film having an adhesive on its back side for adhering to a client and further featuring a plurality of imprinted reference positioning designators to use to position the stencil. The imprinted reference positioning designators correspond to at least four reference points on a client face, and the imprinted reference positioning designators align with at least three reference points on covering both sides of the client face to provide a three-point reference alignment to position the stencil onto the client face. The three-point reference alignment replicates on both sides of the face to provide for symmetrical placement of the stencil on both sides of the client face.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to the field of permanent makeup for women, more particularly to eyebrow stencils for guiding application of permanent or semi-permanent makeup to the eyebrows.

2. Description of Related Art

Permanent makeup has been around for a number of years. Basically, permanent makeup involves applying pigments under the skin to reproduce the look of applied cosmetics. It constitutes a cosmetic tattoo applied into the dermal layer of the skin by a licensed professional cosmetologist, nurse, or doctor trained in the application.

Increasingly, permanent makeup has grown in popularity, as the treatments can be applied to various areas of the face (including around the eyes). Permanent makeup can avoid the expense of buying makeup and the time involved with its application. It also provides a popular method to reproduce the look of natural eyebrows or enhance the appearance of existing eyebrows. It has been successfully marketed to both women and men suffering from alopecia, a medical condition that causes hair loss to the entire body, as the procedure can help to restore the appearance of eyebrows. It also has been used by chemotherapy patients or people who have naturally sparse eyebrows.

Permanent makeup creates a big disadvantage by nature of its permanence. If an individual decides they no longer want the makeup or if the procedure produces an aesthetically bad result, a recipient will need to have it removed via a laser procedure, which can be costly and painful. Of course, permanent eyebrow makeup applied to a person has the big advantage in that the person will always have eyebrows without the necessity of using pencils and other cosmetics to obtain perfect eyebrows. In addition, getting the procedure can improve the self-esteem of people who do not have natural eyebrows of their own as a result of disease, genetics, or medical treatments.

A newer emerging technique for applying eyebrow enhancements has come on the market recently called microblading. Microblading uses a blade embedded with several fine needles to dab onto an eyebrow and create additional eyebrow lines and/or fill in eyebrows. Microblading is similar to tattooing on permanent eyebrow makeup, but it does not go down as deep into the skin and will gradually work its way out of the shin as the skin layers holding the pigment migrate to the surface, fading with time. Microblading is thus semi-permanent, lasting for up to three years.

It is very important for an experienced practitioner skilled in permanent eyebrow makeup to apply permanent makeup, and it is equally important that a skilled person applies semi-permanent as well. An untrained technician may inadvertently apply eyebrow makeup such that it makes the person look perpetually surprised. In addition, if laser removal becomes necessary, permanent damage to the hair follicles may result, causing the permanent loss of existing eyebrows.

With the high stakes involved, many eyebrow technicians applying permanent or semi-permanent eyebrow makeup use stencils to help guide their application procedure. However, existing stencil system fail to offer ease of use in accurate positioning and shaping.

Based on the foregoing, there is a need in the art a system, which will facilitate making a choice as to desired shape and making adjustments to guide permanent and semi-permanent eyebrow makeup application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A stencil system for use in marking up an eyebrow area for a procedure comprises a stencil comprised of a thin, flexible, clear plastic-like film having an adhesive on its back side for adhering to a client and further featuring a plurality of imprinted reference positioning designators to use to position the stencil. The imprinted reference positioning designators correspond to at least four reference points on a client face, and the imprinted reference positioning designators align with at least three reference points covering both sides of the client face to provide a three-point reference alignment to position the stencil onto the client face. The three-point reference alignment replicates on both sides of the face to provide for symmetrical placement of the stencil on both sides of the client face.

The imprinted reference designators comprise a vertical aligning straight edge and a horizontal aligning reference tick.

The imprinted reference designator comprises a at least a horizontal ruler used for vertical alignment with two separate points on the ruler used as the horizontal aligning reference tick, and the two separate points comprise a right side alignment tick and a left side alignment tick.

The reference points comprise the inner edge of eyebrows used for horizontal alignment and the top edge of eyebrow arches used for vertical alignment.

The stencil system comprises a stencil board having a plurality of stencils mounted thereon, with each stencil providing a cut-out area of an eyebrow shape and mounted so as to be removable from the stencil board for use.

Aligning the stencil vertically by aligning a straight edge imprinted reference positioning designator with a top edge of a first eyebrow arch on a first eyebrow and a top edge of a second eyebrow arch on a second eyebrow, and aligning the stencil horizontally by aligning a horizontal reference tick on the straight edge with an inner edge of the first eyebrow.

A method for positioning a stencil symmetrically on a client face to mark in eyebrows for a cosmetic procedure, comprising the steps of providing a stencil comprised of a thin, flexible, clear plastic-like film having an adhesive on its back side for adhering to a client and further featuring at least four position reference designators associated with four reference points on a face of a client undergoing a cosmetic eyebrow procedure. Identifying the four reference points on the face of the client, wherein the four reference points correspond to the inner edge of a left and a right eyebrow and a top edge of the left and right eyebrow arch. Aligning the position reference points on one half of the stencil with the corresponding reference marks on a first side of the face and further aligning a position reference point on a second side of the face with one corresponding reference mark for the second side of the face to provide a three point alignment of the stencil. Pressing the stencil in place to adhere in position. Outlining the shape of the stencil on the eyebrow area of the client.

The foregoing, and other features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, the accompanying drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the ensuing descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings briefly described as follows.

FIG. 1 is a view of the stencil sheet, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A-E is a frontal view of client demonstrating how to use the stencils, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a process flow chart, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention and their advantages may be understood by referring to FIGS. 1-2, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the Figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled in the art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention, recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, there are numerous modifications and variations of the invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a reference to “a step” or “a means” is a reference to one or more steps or means and may include sub-steps and subservient means. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods, techniques, devices, and materials are described, although any methods, techniques, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of the present invention. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations and modifications may involve equivalent and other features which are already known in the art, and which may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein.

Although Claims have been formulated in this Application to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present invention.

Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of such features during the prosecution of the present Application or of any further Application derived therefrom.

References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” “various embodiments,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an exemplary embodiment,” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.

Headings provided herein are for convenience and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way.

The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

Devices or system modules that are in at least general communication with each other need not be in continuous communication with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices or system modules that are in at least general communication with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present invention.

As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerations and compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimal manufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and in particular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of the present invention may configured according to the needs of the particular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skills and known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that addresses the needs of the particular application.

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In FIG. 1, stencil board 100 can provide a substrate for mounting multiple adhesive eyebrow stencils 105 to display at least a portion available eyebrow designs available.

The stencil board 100 can display multiple adhesive stencils 105 with different eyebrow styles. Referring to the second exemplary stencil 105 includes an imprinted horizontal ruler 110 with centimeters units marked with the center 0 reference starting in the middle. The horizontal ruler 110 has a right side 111 and a left side 112. The stencil also has vertical rulers 113, also in centimeters. These rulers 111, 112, and 113 can provide reference positioning designators to align with reference points on a client when using the stencils 105. Each stencil 105 can comprise a thin, flexible, clear plastic-like material having an adhesive on its back side for adhering to a client.

The different eyebrow shapes and styles as embodied by the eyebrow shape 120 cut-out on the stencil board 100 can provide a convenient and simple means for examining and reviewing the various available stencils 105. A technician and client can easily select an eyebrow shape 120 they find attractive and appealing, and a variety of shapes makes it easy to find an ideal shape for each client. Adjustments can be simple to make with these rulers 110 and 113 as the technician uses the reference measurements for each style to determine an appropriate shape and style.

In FIG. 2A, a technician has marked the face of a client 200 with four reference points required to position an adhesive stencil 105 properly. Inner edge of the eyebrow reference 210 and top edge of the eyebrow reference 220 can be marked on the face of the client 200. These four reference locations 210 and 220 can be used to position the adhesive stencil 105.

FIG. 2B depicts an adhesive sticker 105 positioned properly via the two references 220 and the left side reference 210 on the left side of the face of client 200 (left side from the drawing perspective). The adhesive sticker 105 can be attached to the face of the client 200 so as to properly position the eyebrow shape 120.

As designed, the adhesive stencil 105 can be positioned vertically by aligning the edge of ruler 110 so that the left side 111 and right side 112 intersect with reference marks 220. Horizontal alignment can be properly made by vertically aligning the 2 cm measurement of left side 111 with reference mark. This three-point alignment ensures proper positioning of stencil 105 as it is pressed into place so it adheres to the right side of the face of client 200.

After positioning, FIG. 2C shows the outlining of stencil shape 120 onto the eyebrow area of a client 200. A technician 250 uses a makeup pencil 255 to follow the outline of the eyebrow shape 120 onto the eyebrow area of client 200. Once complete, the technician 250 can remove stencil 105 and reuse the stencil 105 to do the left side of the face of the client 200, using the reference marks 220 and 210 to align the stencil 105.

FIG. 2D shows stencil 105 removed and the eyebrow shape 120 outlined on the client for the right side.

FIG. 2E shows both eyebrow areas of client 200 completed with eyebrow shape 120 outlined. The procedure to actually apply pigment can now begin.

FIG. 3 depicts a process flow chart 300 for the system in an embodiment. The process starts at step 305 by providing a stencil board with multiple adhesive stencils attached onto the board, with each stencil featuring a different eyebrow stencil design. Each such stencil can have a backside coated with an adhesive and made from a clear plastic-like flexible film. Step 310, can comprise putting at least four position reference designators on each stencil associated with four reference points on the face of a client undergoing a cosmetic eyebrow procedure. In an embodiment, the reference designators can comprise a ruler printed on the film, but it should be apparent to anyone skilled in the art that other reference designators can be used. For example, a straight line can be printed on the stencil with a series of “x” or some other tick or marking used as a reference.

Step 315 can require marking four reference points on the face of a client, with the four reference points corresponding to the inner edge of a client's left and right eyebrow and the top edge of the left and right eyebrow arch. Other reference points can be used, but these disclosed reference provide for easily discerned references that any cosmetologist can determine and mark very quickly to ensure a flawless, symmetrical result for both eyebrow areas. Step 320 involves removing a selected stencil from the stencil board and aligning the position reference points on one half of the stencil with the corresponding reference marks on that side of the face and aligning a position reference point on the other side of the face with one corresponding reference mark on that side, providing for a three point alignment of the stencil. The three point reference system disclosed can provide symmetrical alignment of the stencil between the two sides of the face as a cosmetologist first marks one eyebrow area on one side of the face and then marks the other eyebrow area on the other side of the face.

Once the stencil is properly aligned, in step 325 the stencil is pressed in place so as to adhere in position, then in step 330, the shape of the stencil is outlined on the eyebrow area of the client using a makeup pencil. This area is carefully outlined by the cosmetologist, so that the cosmetologist can replicate the desired eyebrow shape on the client during the cosmetic procedure. In step 335, the cosmetologist removes the stencil and repeats the process for the opposite side of the face. Performing the procedure in step 340 is the final step.

The invention has been described herein using specific embodiments for the purposes of illustration only. It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, however, that the principles of the invention can be embodied in other ways. Therefore, the invention should not be regarded as being limited in scope to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but instead as being fully commensurate in scope with the following claims. 

I claim:
 1. A stencil system for use in marking up an eyebrow area for a procedure, comprising: a stencil comprised of a thin, flexible, clear plastic-like film having an adhesive on its back side for adhering to a client and further featuring a plurality of imprinted reference positioning designators to use to position the stencil; wherein the imprinted reference positioning designators correspond to at least four reference points on a client face, and said imprinted reference positioning designators align with at least three reference points covering both sides of the client face to provide a three-point reference alignment to position the stencil onto the client face; wherein the three-point reference alignment replicates on both sides of the face to provide for symmetrical placement of the stencil on both sides of the client face.
 2. The stencil system of claim 1, wherein the imprinted reference designators comprise a vertical aligning straight edge and a horizontal aligning reference tick.
 3. The stencil system of claim 2, wherein the imprinted reference designator comprises at least a horizontal ruler used for vertical alignment with two separate points on the ruler used as the horizontal aligning reference tick; wherein the two separate points comprise a right side alignment tick and a left side alignment tick.
 4. The stencil system of claim 1, wherein the reference points comprise the inner edge of eyebrows used for horizontal alignment and the top edge of eyebrow arches used for vertical alignment.
 5. The stencil system of claim 1, further comprising a stencil board having a plurality of stencils mounted thereon, with each stencil providing a cut-out area of an eyebrow shape and mounted so as to be removable from the stencil board for use.
 6. The stencil system of claim 1, further comprising aligning the stencil vertically by aligning a straight edge imprinted reference positioning designator with a top edge of a first eyebrow arch on a first eyebrow and a top edge of a second eyebrow arch on a second eyebrow, and aligning the stencil horizontally by aligning a horizontal reference tick on the straight edge with an inner edge of the first eyebrow.
 7. A method for positioning a stencil symmetrically on a client face to mark in eyebrows for a cosmetic procedure, comprising the steps of: providing a stencil comprised of a thin, flexible, clear plastic-like film having an adhesive on its back side for adhering to a client and further featuring at least four position reference designators associated with four reference points on a face of a client undergoing a cosmetic eyebrow procedure; identifying the four reference points on the face of the client, wherein the four reference points correspond to the inner edge of a left and a right eyebrow and a top edge of the left and right eyebrow arch; aligning the position reference points on one half of the stencil with the corresponding reference marks on a first side of the face and further aligning a position reference point on a second side of the face with one corresponding reference mark for the second side of the face to provide a three point alignment of the stencil; pressing the stencil in place to adhere in position; and outlining the shape of the stencil on the eyebrow area of the client. 